Bee Friendly

We promoted and protected honey bees and implemented effective strategies to improve our shared habitats.  We started a permanent bee colony at the B Street Farm (which belongs to Pacific University). We reduced irresponsible use of pesticides which stem from lack of ecological education. We also increased awareness and understanding of the influence of honey bees and their positive impact on our environment.

Specifically, we:

• Developed, strengthened, and implemented local policies and action plans to improve “Bee Friendliness”.
• Acquired a plot of land at B Street that was designated for a pollinator garden.
• B Street allowed us to plant whichever flowers, fruits, and herbs we wanted to and let us have access to some of their fruit, flowers, and herbs.
• Sold Boo Boo plants and peanut candy to raise money for perennial flowers and a bee hive for our garden.
• Home Depot gave us $25 gift card on plants.
• Lowe’s gave us 50% off on lavenders.
• B Street gave us permission to put a bee hive in the garden for their use and ours.
• We provided 2 suits for B Street to allow for close inspection for those who are allergic or are worried about being stun
• Raised almost $400, which allowed us to plan for a bee hive and a fantastic pollinator garde
• We then filled out a project policy as a commitment to B Street to monitor our bee hive and garden and to take care of them both, while also successfully starting bee colonies as of April 20, 2015
• Damian Magista from Bee Local in Portland, came to speak about sustainable bee keeping and the urbanization of bee keeping for Earth Week.
• Sponsor Earth Week events through the Pacific University Sustainability club.

For more information, check out the e-portfolio here.